1. Last year a young woman in crisis offered to give us her baby girl to raise (this is a story in and of iself). Saturday night we got to meet this mom and to hear that baby is doing well in her great aunt's home. The mom is getting healthier day by day. It was a strange, humbling, emotional experience for me to be able to hug her and to receive her thanks.
2. On Wednesday I worked as a sub in our local high school. I ran into a woman who had been my Biology teacher when she first started in our district. fresh out of college. Now, she teaches our two older boys. She went on and on about how she enjoyed having them as her students.
Now, back when I was her student it wasn't such a pretty picture...and I'm fairly certain she doesn't remember me (as the 15-year-old me, if you know what I mean). I haaaaated high school and she was a very gifted, but uncomfortable new teacher back then.
Imagine that! She would become one of my family's favorite teachers!
3. I've told this story a few times, but it fits the theme so I will share it again.
Many years ago I heard our pastor tell a story about parents who had lost an adult child while he was working out of state. They couldn't afford to bring his body home, nor could they afford a memorial service. So Pastor E. went to his car, grabbed his guitar, and held an impromptu memorial service right there in their trailer.
I vowed then that my own children would learn to play an instrument if, for no other reason, but to comfort others in this way.
On Saturday J played his snare drum (and both J and N sang in the choir) for the memorial service of a fellow farmer who lost his life after battling an infection in the area of a knee replacement. Midway through the performance, his widow was moved to stand up and salute the choir and J, on the drum. It was a very beautiful moment.
Speaking of performances, last night I went to see a play, where I saw my uncle and our large animal vet perform in drag for the duration of the show. I'm still trying to get my mind around that one! J, who is 7, announced, "that was weird." I rather agree.
If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven
From "My Mother's Hymn Book"
Johnny Cash
Soon we'll come to the end of life's journey
And perhaps we'll never meet anymore
'Til we gather in Heaven's bright city
Far away on that beautiful shore
If we never meet again this side of Heaven
As we struggle through this world and its strife
There's another meeting place somewhere in Heaven
By the side of the river of life
Where the roses bloom forever
And where separation comes no more
If we never meet again this side of Heaven
I will meet you on that beautiful shore
All they say we shall by the river
Where no spurn clouds ever darken the sky
And they say we'll be happy in Heaven
In that wonderful sweet by and by
If we never meet again this side of Heaven
As we struggle through this world and its strife
There's another meeting place somewhere in Heaven
By the side of the river of life
Where the roses bloom forever
And where separation comes no more
If we never meet again this side of Heaven
I will meet you on that beautiful shore
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